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REPORT OF THE <br />DATE: October 1, 2024 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:3 6 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 1083/13ill No. 215 <br />Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 215, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 215, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth via Communication No. 1083, dated <br />September 19, 2024, authorizes the issuance of General Obligation Bonds of the County of Hawaii <br />for the purpose of funding all or a portion of the costs of various improvement projects; fixes the form, <br />denominations, and certain other details of such bonds and provides for their sale to the public; and <br />authorizes the taking of other actions relating to the issuance and sale of the bonds. <br />This bill authorizes the issuance of up to $150 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund certain <br />Capital Improvement Projects including: Construction of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant; Parks <br />and Recreation Americans with Disabilites Act projects; planning and design for a County morgue; <br />Animal Control shelter repairs; Central Fire Station repairs; and maintenance of other County <br />facilities. <br />Finance Director Diane Nakagawa and County Treasurer Chris Nakano provided background on this <br />measure. Public Works Director Steve Pause and Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina <br />were also available to answer questions. <br />Committee Member Heather Kimball recused herself from the vote because her husband's architecture <br />firm may contract some of these projects. <br />Committee Member Cindy Evans asked if these projects were ready to be constructed. Ms. Nakagawa <br />stated that they were ready to go. Ms. Evans questioned how projects were prioritized. Mr. Pause <br />replied that they have gone through some review to determine what takes priority. <br />Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada requested more information on Mr. Pause's statement regarding <br />road repairs, as it seems the list of projects provided does not include many road work projects. <br />Mr. Pause stated they have been doing drainage studies and drainage work on the west side, and with <br />the recent flooding in that area, there is a need to understand what has caused that problem and what <br />infrastructure that area may need. <br />Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked how they are tracking appropriations across multiple <br />bonds and the status of these projects. Ms. Nakagawa explained how they have managed these <br />appropriations and how Mr. Nakano and the Accounts Division track these allotment requests. <br />FC Report No. 208 <br />